Sports Medicine

Functional Movement Screen

Functional Movement Screens (FMS) at Rapid Rehab are performed by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. A Functional Movement Screen is a test to determine how well an individual moves and is used to find weaknesses before they affect sports performance or turn into injuries. The screen identifies limitations that can hinder proper function and decrease strength.

Research in the February 2010 Journal of Strength and Conditioning suggests that Functional Movement Screens can be “confidently used to assess the movement patterns of athletes and to make decisions related to interventions for performance enhancement…and assist in identifying athletes at risk for injury.”

By improving fundamental movement patterns and eliminating asymmetries we begin to set a solid foundation upon which the athlete can improve performance. Improving fundamental movement patterns is the cornerstone of our training programs. We begin all of our training programs by measuring fundamental movements to establish a baseline. The baseline will guide our initial exercise program. As our program progresses we re-assess to gauge effectiveness and guide progression. Objective measures, derived from the functional movement assessment, provide our therapists and therapist assistants the feedback necessary to deliver the best results and meet the patient’s goals.

Rapid Rehab is able to use the Functional Movement Screen to help patients transition back to activity after therapy and return to pre-injury levels.

Functional Movement Screens are not just for top-athletes. Patients of all ages and skill levels will benefit by gaining strength and balance, enhancing their return to work, play, or daily activity. Using the FMS, Rapid Rehab helps patients and clients identify where they need help, and also educates them on how to make these areas better.

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is used to identify existing deficits and address them with specific exercises. The NFL has used the FMS to screen players prior to the draft to determine the probability of a player becoming injured.

One NFL team used this specialized screening and training, which resulted in fewer injuries and a 33% decrease in missed practices for the season.

FMS was used to screen 123 firefighters during the time period of 2002 – 2007. As a result, the incidence of injury was reduced which led to a $4.5 million savings in worker’s compensation costs.

From the Patient…

“Physical therapy helped me get back into the game faster! Physical therapy made me aware of my body’s limits and how to correct my alignment. With the right exercises, I can block harder and run faster without getting hurt. I’ve been doing sports for 7 years and with only one visit to Rapid Rehab they found the issue and improved my game.”

-Mitch Morris

From the Physical Therapist…

“Mitch Morris, a local middle school athlete, came to Rapid Rehabilitation with shin splints. Mitch began to experience pain in both lower legs after cooling down from football or baseball practice. He was having difficulty squatting, hopping, and going up and down steps. Shin splints can occur due to over-training, inadequate foot-wear, or poor biomechanics of the legs and feet. While performing a Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), it was determined that Mitch did not have the muscle length in his lower legs to squat properly, thereby adding additional strain to his shin muscle. Through proper stretching, ice application, and a modified training program, Mitch was able to complete the season.”